Ninetology U9 series Android phones Launched in Malaysia

They’re actually a South East Asian phone manufacturer based in Malaysia. According to Ninetology executives, they’re currently the “2nd largest in terms of mobile device market share in Malaysia”. Mobile device market share in Malaysia is a broad classification and I don’t know what the criteria of this achievement is based on. Market share of locally produced smartphones? Market share or all smartphone usage in the country? According to this IDC report from last year (2012), the No. 1 smartphone is Samsung, followed by Apple, then HTC.

Nevertheless, Nninetology aims to grow bigger and better with more devices in the near future, targeting the urban segments with devices focusing on needs of the users, their demands and behaviour.

A couple of weeks ago on 31 July 2013, Ninetology invited a bunch of bloggers for an event to introduce their new premium line of U9 series of smartphones – X1, Z1 and Z1+. These smartphones are all premium MediaTek quad core smartphones with dual SIM capabilities, powered by Android 4.2 “Jellybean” OS, offered at competitive prices.

The Marketing campaign for U9 series (U9 is a play on words for the campaign tagline, “Unite”) is all about design, size and technology for the urbanite market segment. For the U9 series launch, they also introduced Malaysian Mandopop singer, Z-Chen as their Product Spokesperson.

Ninetology U9 “Bloggers Gathering”

The event, held at KL Hilton, sees over 20+ local tech and lifestyle bloggers come together for some intro and hands-on time with the U9 series smartphones.

Ninetology execs introducing U9 series smartphonesOur “urbanite” emcees for the eveningBuffet dinner and “buka puasa”Games and activities to win prizes and Grand Prize of Ninetology U9X1

The games and activities that night, although dragged on for a bit longer than expected, gave a chance for the bloggers to get to know one another, as well as chances to win several prizes, including a Grand Prize of the hero device, Ninetology U9 X1.

Grand Prize winner from my team that night

Most important part of the night, of course, is for us bloggers to get a chance to touch and feel the U9 series of smartphones on display. OK. Let’s get to know the Ninetology U9 series smartphones.

Ninetology U9X1 is available on sale from mid August 2013, at the Recommended Retail Price (RRP) of RM 1,099 at major smartphone retailers, Ninetology dealers network and Ninetology flagship store in Low Yat Plaza.

Ninetology U9X1 on displayU9X1 in my hands and the box packaging

The box packaging for the smartphone is huge! It kinds looks like an enlarged version of a cigarette box to me. Haha.

Hands on with the U9X1

The U9X1 tagline is “Stands Out” – it’s the hero device that sits nicely at 4.8″ screen size with its polycarbonate (read: plastic) body. It feels and looks very much like a Samsung device, actually. Specifically, it looks like Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

The front face of the device has capacitive buttons and the back houses the 13 megapixel camera in the middle at the top with an accompanying LED flash. User interface is almost pure vanilla Androiod 4.2 “Jelly Bean” OS. If there was any skin / theme customisation, it wasn’t noticable. As Ninetology claims, the browsing and swiping between apps and navigation is fast. The Super AMOLED Plus display also doesn’t disappoint with clear and vivid images.

Ninetology U9Z1

For those who likes the “phablet” category of smartphones, there’s the U9Z1 with a 5.7″ display.

Ninetology U9Z1 is available on sale from mid August 2013, at the Recommended Retail Price (RRP) of RM 1,199 at major smartphone retailers, Ninetology dealers networkand Ninetology flagship store in Low Yat Plaza.

Ninetology U9Z1 on displayHands on with U9Z1

With the tagline “Larger Than Life”, the U9Z1 at 5.7″ display screen size encroaches into the “phablet” category of smartphones. The back has a nice aluminium like backplate to access your removable battery and the dual SIM card slots. This is reminiscent of the HTC HD2 WinMo phone many years back and definitely gives out a more premium feel.

The rear camera is a whopping 12 megapixel, too and also packs a 5 megapixel front camera for all your cam whoring selfies. Battery is bigger at 2,600 mAh but you’ll definitely be appreciating all that extra battery juice for such a larger screen. The downside for the U9Z1 is the missing microSD support. With such a powerful camera (front and back) you’d think it packs a bigger internal storage AND external microSD support. If you’re one who syncs and uploads images to the cloud though, then this wouldn’t be an issue.

Ninetology U9Z1+

For higher specs and better build, there’s a slightly older brother with U9Z1+.

Ninetology U9Z1+ is available on sale from mid August 2013, at the Recommended Retail Price (RRP) of RM 1,299 at major smartphone retailers, Ninetology dealers networkand Ninetology flagship store in Low Yat Plaza.

Ninetology U9Z1+ on display

The tagline for the U9Z1+ is “Top Notch” which represents the premium aluminium build quality and toughened Gorilla Glass. With a 5″ display screen size and a body with aluminium band at the side, this looks very much like the Samsung Galaxy S4, in my opinion, minus the “Home” button in the front.

This device has slight upgraded specs from the U9Z1 in a smaller screen size and supports expandable microSD memory.

The killer feature for the U9Z1+ though is the display, with toughened Gorilla Glass 2 that is scratch resistant and touts exceptional viewing angle.

One thing to note is that this phone is a little more premium in build quality and is the slimmest (9 mm thin) and lightest (158 grams) of the 3 smartphones.

Thanks to Ninetology Malaysia for the invitation, as well as a big “Well done” to the Rouge Communications team for organising another great blogger event.

For the rest of you, please check back soon for my in depth User Review of the hero device, Ninetology U9X1, which will also include a comparison with a competing smartphone, as soon as I get the review unit from Ninetology Malaysia.

About WinnieKepala.com

Winnie Chen-Head aka "WinnieKepala" is a female Lifestyle Tech Blogger in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Posts are Lifestyle TECH for the non-tech savvy average consumer, with lots of gadget reviews and local tech news. Other posts includes topics around Food, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Parenting and Personal Journals.

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About WinnieKepala.com

Winnie Chen-Head aka "WinnieKepala" is a female Lifestyle Tech Blogger in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Posts are Lifestyle TECH for the non-tech savvy average consumer, with lots of gadget reviews and local tech news. Other posts includes topics around Food, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Parenting and Personal Journals.